PERFORMANCE STEPS:

REFERENCES:

DoDD 5210.56 – Carrying of Firearms and the Use of Force by DoD Personnel Engaged in Security, Law and Order, or Counterintelligence Activities

MCO 5500.6H – Arming of Law Enforcement and Security Personnel and the Use of Force

MCO 5530.15 – U.S. Marine Corps Interior Guard Manual

SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS: NA

PERFORMANCE STEP 1: Define deadly force.

Deadly Force is defined as that force which a Marine uses with the purpose of causing or which he knows would create substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily harm.

PERFORMANCE STEP 2: Identify the eight conditions that justify the use of deadly force.

The eight conditions that justify the use of deadly force are:

Inherent Right of Self-Defense. Deadly force is authorized when DOD unit commanders reasonably believe that a person poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to DOD forces. Unit self-defense includes the defense of other DOD forces in the vicinity.

Example: Active shooter attempting to kill you.

Defense of Others. Deadly force is authorized in defense of non-DOD persons in the vicinity, when directly related to the assigned mission.

Example: Active shooter attempting to kill civilians.

Assets Vital to National Security. Deadly force is authorized when deadly force reasonably appears to be necessary to prevent the actual theft or sabotage of assets vital to national security.

Example: Terrorist trying to steal highly classified information. .

Inherently Dangerous Property. Deadly force is authorized when deadly force reasonably appears to be necessary to prevent the actual theft or sabotage of inherently dangerous property.

Example: Terrorist trying to steal weapons or ammo.

National Critical Infrastructure. Deadly force is authorized when deadly force reasonably appears to be necessary to prevent the sabotage of national critical infrastructure.

Example: Terrorist trying to destroy power plant.

Serious Offenses Against Persons. Deadly force is authorized when deadly force reasonably appears to be necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offense that involves imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm (for example, setting fire to an inhabited dwelling), including the defense of other persons, where deadly force is directed against the person threatening to commit the offense.

Escape. Deadly force is authorized when deadly force reasonably appears to be necessary to prevent the escape of a prisoner, provided there is probable cause to believe that such person(s) have committed or attempted to commit a serious offense, that is, one that involves imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm, and would pose an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to DOD forces or others in the vicinity.

Example: Escaped mass murderer from a detention facility.

Arrest or Apprehension. Deadly force is authorized when deadly force reasonably appears necessary to arrest or apprehend a person who, there is probable cause to believe, has committed a serious offense.

Example: Suicide bomber.

PERFORMANCE STEP 3: Determine when deadly force is authorized.

Deadly force is to be used only when all lesser means have failed or cannot reasonably be employed. Deadly force is authorized under the circumstances listed in performance step 2.

Give the order to halt. This order should be given in English and in the native language of the country if circumstances warrant.

Do not fire warning shots. If you determine that your order to halt is being disregarded, you will fire to disable. However, do not fire if the possibility exists that innocent bystanders will be harmed. Exceptions: You will not allow unauthorized personnel to remove “any material from an Exclusion Area containing nuclear weapons.” You will use “every means available” to prevent this from occurring. Additionally, your right to self-defense is always available. Note: Certain escalations of force procedures may prescribe the use of warning shots.

Describe the use of deadly force

Evaluation Checklist

EVALUATOR(S):

MARINE TRAINED:

DATE:

SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS: NA

EVALUATOR NOTE: Marines must answer or perform all the questions below without error in order to pass this event. The evaluator will guide the Marine being tested through the checklist by asking questions.

Performance Step

Instructor Notes

Pass or Remediate

1. Define deadly force.

Marine should state deadly force are actions used with the purpose of causing death or serious bodily harm.

2. Identify the eight conditions that justify the use of deadly force

Marine should state four of the following eight conditions:

1. Inherent right of self-defense

2. Defense of others

3. Assets vital to national security

4. Inherently dangerous property

5. National critical infrastructure

6. Serious offenses against persons

7. Escape

8. Arrest or apprehension

3. Determine when deadly force is authorized.

Marine should state that deadly force is to be used only when all lesser means have failed or cannot reasonably be employed.

4. Identify the procedures for applying deadly force.

Marine should state that they should give the command “halt” prior to employing deadly force and that warning shots are NOT authorized.